I had to mail in my request for early retirement. They mailed me back my packet and I filled everything out and sent it back. A few weeks later they mailed me back my approval letter. I have to attend a retirement seminar and view a couple of hours of retirement videos. Here is how times have changed. The retiement seminar is a 1 1/2 hour conference call with a counselor and others on the phone. The retirement videos are all viewed online at home. After the seminar and videos are complete, I will have an opportunity to speak with a retirement counselor by phone to answer any final questions I may have. After that all I do is work till my last day, say good-bye to my long time co-workers and wait a month for my first check. Can't get any more impersonal and methodical than that. I'm sure I'll forgive them though come the first of February 2009 when I get my first check. I already got my watch a few years back for 25 years. I don't think they even give out the watches anymore.

Oh, the times they are a changin'.

I didn't get diddly-squat for 25 years

My watch must have been worth at least $18.00. Where was it made? China ...

Somehow, with or without counseling, I'm betting you can handle it!